The Tigers’ worst team in 13 years — weakened by opt-outs and the transfer portal — can’t be trusted. This game means far more to the Wildcats, who have earned a bowl victory in four of the past five years, including two outright upsets, under Mark Stoops. 

Neither team will look familiar, but the Beavers are in greater disarray.

Oregon State’s final game as a member of the Pac-12 — played without head coach Jonathan Smith and star running back Damien Martinez, who was suspended following a DUI arrest — will be led by third-string quarterback Ben Gulbranson, who has thrown one pass this season and threw four interceptions and zero touchdowns in two games against ranked teams last season. 

The Tigers’ three losses this season — all against ranked teams — came by an average of seven points. Don’t expect the seventh-highest scoring team in the nation to get run out of its own building. 

It won’t be hard to decipher which team wants it more. While Ryan Day doesn’t know how many of his stars will be available, the Tigers will be playing their biggest game in a decade.